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surgical abdomen
Abdominal signs & symptoms warranting surgical consultation. (see abdominal pain)
Pathology:
- abdominal inflammation
- appendicitis
- cholelithiasis
- intestinal perforation
- intestinal obstruction
- intestinal infarction
- rupture of abdominal organs
Clinical manifestations:
- nausea, vomiting, & decreased appetite prior to abdominal pain suggest a non-surgical abdomen
- severe pain, vomiting, or obstipation in an elderly patient
- toxic patient who lies perfectly still so as to avoid further peritoneal irritation
Management:
- surgical consultation
General
sign/symptom
References
- White MJ and Counselman FL
Troubleshooting Acute Abdominal Pain
Emergency Medicine
http://www.emedmag.com/html/pre/cov/covers/011502.asp